Hold the poplar branches to sprinkle the nectar from the bottle,
blessing all sentient beings, year in, year out.
Answer countless prayers to ferry them across the sea of affliction.
——Excerpt from “Guanyin Bodhisattva Praise”
For thousands of years, the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva, a Divinity of great compassion who reaches out to save all sentient beings from afflictions and disasters, has been rooted deeply in people’s hearts. Stories of the Bodhisattva saving sentient beings from dire situations and responding to every prayer have spread far and wide. Even people without religious beliefs regard her as a symbol of compassion and wisdom. Grandmaster JinBodhi, the founder of Bodhi Meditation, has a very deep and special relationship with Guanyin Bodhisattva, and students practicing at Bodhi Meditation often get inspiration from her. Let us learn more about Guanyin Bodhisattva and the ways of connecting with her to receive inspiration.
Understanding Guanyin Bodhisattva and the 12 Great Vows to Save the World
Guanyin Bodhisattva has a deep connection with all sentient beings. Despite having achieved buddhahood and being named the “Tathagata of Brightness and Correct Dharma,” Guanyin returned to this world in the form of a bodhisattva with the vow of helping all sentient beings.
Guanyin Bodhisattva’s life experience in this world has been recorded in many Buddhist scriptures. According to The Compassionate Pundarika Sutra (Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka-sūtram), Guanyin was once named Buzhen; he was the eldest prince of the imperial ruler (chakravarti) WuJingNian. After he grew up, Prince Buzhen followed the Treasure Tathagata (Prabhutaratna) to practice self-cultivation, together with his father and the second prince, Nemo. After enlightenment, his father was named Amitabha Buddha, Buzhen was named Guanyin Bodhisattva, and Nemo was named Mahasthamaprapta Bodhisattva. They were collectively known as the “Three Saints of the West.” Although the life experience of Guanyin was described differently in other sutras, the description of the Bodhisattva’s vow remained the same: to save sufferers upon hearing their cries, respond to all prayers, and shift in appearance based on the needs of sentient beings.
The 12 Great Vows of Guanyin Bodhisattva are:
- Raise the immeasurable vow: Save all sentient beings and eliminate their worries.
- Stay in the Southern Sea to watch over and protect sentient beings.
- Listen to their cries and rescue sentient beings: Many people who are ill can recover by chanting Guanyin’s name sincerely.
- End all troubles and difficulties: Always answer countless prayers, and ferry all beings across the sea of affliction to liberation.
- Offer nectar to calm the mind: When Guanyin sprinkles nectar on sentient beings, all their worries will turn into lotus flowers.
- Practice impartiality at all times: With the blessing of Amitabha Buddha, one will have a sense of impartiality like that of Guanyin.
- Eliminate the sufferings in all three realms: Upon hearing the cries of suffering sentient beings, Guanyin vows to eliminate all obstacles in the three realms.
- Liberate beings from all shackles: Be liberated from the shackles of pain by chanting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
- Save all sentient beings: Vow to save all sentient beings and diligently practice great compassion for eternity.
- Guide sentient beings to the Western Pure Land: One will be guided to the Pure Land by sincerely chanting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva.
- Vow to be the helper of Amitabha Buddha: Guanyin Bodhisattva will diligently fulfill the aforementioned vows in aid of Amitabha Buddha.
- Carry out the 12 great vows to achieve ultimate enlightenment.
Guanyin Bodhisattva’s great compassionate devotion to saving all sentient beings has been praised by others as follows: “With the 12 great vows present, Guanyin Bodhisattva will always show up to liberate sentient beings from the sea of suffering upon hearing cries for help.”
What Does “Namo Guanshiyin Bodhisattva” Mean?
Usually, when people recite the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva, they will add the word namo in front of it. What does namo mean? Is there any special meaning behind the word Guanyin?
Namo is transliterated from the Sanskrit namas, which means obedience and respect. The overarching religious meaning of this is “to take refuge [in Buddhism].” It is often used before the name of the Buddha or bodhisattvas while chanting to express sincere praise from the heart. It is also a way of showing respect.
The literal meaning of Guanyin is to observe the sound of this world.
As the dharma sect that Guanyin Bodhisattva had cultivated in was focused on perfecting the sense of hearing, and because the Bodhisattva made a great vow to save sentient beings by seeking out cries of suffering, the “observation” mentioned here doesn’t mean to observe with one’s eyes. Instead, it refers to having “fine observation” to listen for sufferings in this world by being compassionate and wise. Therefore, a more accurate understanding of the name Guanyin is using the heart to observe and listen to all sufferings in this world.
The Benefits of Chanting the Name of Guanyin Bodhisattva
The buddhas and bodhisattvas are fully enlightened individuals who have perfected compassion, solemnity and integrity. Therefore, those who chant their names with sincerity will receive compassionate blessings and protection and gain incredible merits.
Guanyin Bodhisattva responds to all prayers and can change into any form based on the needs of the situation. If sentient beings can chant Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name with concentration and sincerity during times of pain and danger, the Bodhisattva will instantly rescue them upon hearing their chanting. Through this Divine intervention, all sentient beings can overcome terrible troubles, such as fire, flood, evil spirits, robbery, etc. Pending disasters can be transformed into auspiciousness. When one has wishes regarding health, education, career, marriage, family, children, and other areas, Guanyin Bodhisattva will come to fulfill the wish upon hearing sincere chanting of her name. By chanting Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name daily, one can build a connection with the Bodhisattva’s heart of compassion, resulting in an increase in fortune and wisdom, and the opportunity to achieve great liberation.
Chanting Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name is beneficial as the Bodhisattva possesses perfect compassion and wisdom, as expressed in the form of the 12 great vows, which in and of themselves offer beneficial energies and blessings. According to The Compassionate Pundarika Sutra (Karuṇāpuṇḍarīka-sūtram): When Guanyin was still prince Buzhen, he followed the Treasure Tathagata in self-cultivation and made a vow that when sentient beings encounter all kinds of troubles and horrors, all of their sufferings shall be relieved if they call the Bodhisattva’s name.
In addition, in The Universal Gateway of Guanyin Bodhisattva, the Buddha tells the Bodhisattva of Limitless Intent that for an immeasurable number of good individuals undergoing various trials and sufferings, if they call the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva, they will obtain liberation.
How to Receive Inspirations From Guanyin Bodhisattva?
If you want to connect with Guanyin Bodhisattva quickly, the mentality you maintain during chanting is important. Please keep in mind these three principles:
- Maintain a sincere and respectful heart.
Be faithful. The level of your sincerity will affect what you can obtain from chanting. Remaining in a state of utmost sincerity and respect is the first secret to effective chanting.
- Show gratitude and offer praise from the heart.
With a heart of gratitude, we offer thanks for the Bodhisattva’s compassionate vows and efforts to save sentient beings. We praise Guanyin Bodhisattva’s infinite merits in helping all sentient beings escape from the sea of suffering.
- Uphold the intent of learning.
When chanting, we sincerely vow to follow the compassionate teachings of Guanyin Bodhisattva, and to develop a likewise compassionate spirit capable of helping others as much as possible. To emulate Guanyin Bodhisattva means to foster the most extraordinary connection between you and this Divine being.
Guanyin Bodhisattva has made vows that are extremely profound and compassionate. Therefore, when sentient beings encounter trouble, they often instinctively call the Bodhisattva’s name. There are many real and moving examples of people being saved by connecting with Guanyin Bodhisattva.
Saved by Guanyin Bodhisattva
Rescued from the sea
A meditator named Mo Zemei shared a story online of being saved by the Bodhisattva.
“Twenty years ago, I accidentally fell into the sea. While I was sinking, I chanted three times in my heart, ‘Great Compassionate Guanyin Bodhisattva,’ and then I felt like someone was carrying me up a staircase in the water. Magically, I followed the stairs and ‘walked’ up to the sea surface and was rescued.”
Guanyin delivered medicine
In Taichung, Taiwan, a mother was sick and bedridden all the time. Her young son, Zhenzhong, learned that chanting Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name could help alleviate his mother’s illness, so he chanted every day. A few days later, Zhenzhong dreamed of a lady in white handing his mother a handful of herbs and asking her to eat them, saying that she would recover from illness after taking this medicine. To his amazement, it turned out his mother had the same dream at the same time. Since then, his mother’s health has been improving day by day.
The Connection Between Grandmaster JinBodhi and Guanyin Bodhisattva
Grandmaster JinBodhi, the founder of Bodhi Meditation, has a close relationship with Guanyin Bodhisattva. When Grandmaster was practicing Buddhism as a child, Guanyin Bodhisattva often appeared in front of him, accompanying and caring for his growth and practice like a loving mother. Some of this special life experience is described in the book Buddhist Robes, which records the path of Grandmaster JinBodhi’s practice and achievement.
At every critical moment in Grandmaster JinBodhi’s quest to spread Buddhist teachings and help sentient beings, Guanyin Bodhisattva has always appeared. On July 18, 2003 (June 19th of the lunar calendar), the anniversary of Guanyin’s enlightenment, the compassionate Bodhisattva appeared in the sky above the residence of Grandmaster JinBodhi. In the clear blue sky, auspicious clouds formed in the image of Guanyin Bodhisattva holding a vase of willow branches. The Bodhisattva was standing high in the sky with a solemn, compassionate and serene face, and everyone who witnessed this was in awe.
Grandmaster JinBodhi chants Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name to offer blessings
Due to the special relationship we have with Guanyin Bodhisattva, Bodhi Meditation holds an annual ceremony for Guanyin Bodhisattva Enlightenment Day. At the ceremony, we express gratitude and encourage the public to connect with the Bodhisattva to receive blessings. In addition, Bodhi Meditation has launched a CD featuring Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name chanted by Grandmaster JinBodhi. By chanting with or frequently listening to this music, practitioners can receive Bodhisattva’s protection and powerful blessings and eliminate disasters. Sincere practitioners will be able to quickly connect with the compassionate hearts of the Bodhisattva and Grandmaster and obtain boundless energy blessings.
Bodhi Meditation students on chanting the name of Guanyin Bodhisattva
Zhang Meiguang, Toronto
During a Bodhi Meditation class, whenever I heard Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name chanted by Grandmaster JinBodhi, I would start crying for no reason. Later, I realized that this helped me release my sadness and replenish myself with happy and healthy energy.
Ma Shu, San Francisco
At the Guanyin Bodhisattva Enlightenment Day Ceremony held by Bodhi Meditation, I chanted Guanyin Bodhisattva’s name in concert with the voice of Grandmaster JinBodhi for the first time. As I was doing so, I felt that Guanyin Bodhisattva was in the sky above me, beaming kindness and understanding. It felt like meeting a long-lost relative, and tears began to flow. I had never had that feeling before.
Bodhi Meditation provides a variety of meditation courses at levels from beginner to advanced. We honor and pay respect to Guanyin Bodhisattva’s great compassion and vows to save the world. Contact us for further information; let’s practice the magnificent way of Buddhism together.
Further reading:
The Story of Guanyin Bodhisattva – Understand The Belief of Guanyin
